From the north edge of Springfield, it’s just a 10-mile drive on U.S. 65 to Fair Grove, and it’s worth the trip for the ambiance and variety of food at Oddfellows Café.

Manager Tina Coddington launched into a long list of menu items Oddfellows is known for — paninis, specialty hot dogs, salads, burgers, homemade soups and desserts — and especially the ooey gooey.

Plus there’s a different special every day. Before you choose, take in the comfort of the venerable building, with exposed brick inside along with new fixtures.

Coddington said she’s determined to take Oddfellows to the next level, expanding hours, providing breakfast and building on its reputation as a gathering place.

“We’re opening early so people can come in and pick up a muffin or a roll or a Danish and a cup of coffee on their way to work,” she said. “We want to be the center point for the community, where people can come in and relax.”

The Odd Couple: This option, which is great for lunch, provides choices among soups, salads and sandwiches. Soup with salad is $5.99; soup with a half sandwich is $6.99. Coddington put together a bowl of tomato basil soup with a turkey-cranberry-apple panini. The soup had smoky and cheesy flavors, along with a deep tomato essence that seemed to include something else, which turned out to be pureed carrots and onions. This hearty soup was rich in Italian seasonings. The panini stood out with slices of green apple; it’s a rare sandwich element that adds a refreshing touch.

Side salad ($3.49): The tomatoes delivered true tomato flavor that was surprising so early in the season. Along with shredded carrots and slices of cucumber and red pepper, this salad was generous with vegetables.

Burger ($5.99): Bacon with barbecue sauce created a star combination, and melted Cheddar brought everything together. This juicy burger is made from 90-10 beef from Turner Meat Processing Co. in Fair Grove.

Tacos ($3.99): They had a great cornmeal taste with zesty sauce and mildly seasoned taco meat.

Gooseberry pie ($3.49): This frequently overlooked berry made a tangy-sweet filling between a crispy, sugar-glazed crust.

Ooey-gooey ($3.49): Made with a yellow-cake base, this dessert was lighter than fudge or a brownie but heavier than a muffin — gooey, of course — and sweet.